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Elaiophores in three Neotropical Malpighiaceae species: a comparative study

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Abstract

Malpighiaceae species are recognized for their sepal elaiophores of which secretions reward oil-collecting bees. Information on elaiophore location, structure and functioning is likely to provide valuable insights into pollination ecology and evolution of the family. We characterized the elaiophores in three Malpighiaceae species and compared the patterns of distribution and dimensions of these glands, their structural organization, their histochemistry and their life spans. Intact elaiophores from buds and 1-day flowers (bagged and un-bagged) of Banisteriopsis variabilis, Byrsonima coccolobifolia and Peixotoa reticulata were collected for structural, histochemical and ultrastructural studies. We also reported the behavior of elaiophore-visiting insects. Elaiophores exhibit uniseriate secretory epithelium covered by a thick cuticle and vascularized parenchyma. The secretory surfaces can be flat (B. coccolobifolia and P. reticulata) or convoluted (B. variabilis). In B. variabilis and P. reticulata the epithelium has longer cells than in B. coccolobifolia and these become papillose, taking an appearance similar to trichomal elaiophores. The mixed secretions accumulate within subcuticular spaces and may be released either by a natural rupture of the cuticle (B. coccolobifolia and P. reticulata) or by a sudden rupture caused by the bee activity (B. variabilis). Different bees were observed exploiting the elaiophores, acting as potential pollinators or oil robbers. A greater diversity of oil-collecting bees was registered in B. variabilis. The differences identified, mainly in relation to the location of the glands on the sepals, in the fine structure of secretory epithelia and cuticle architecture, and in their secretion release mechanisms, in some way, can affect the behavior of visitors.

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Acknowledgements

This manuscript is a part of the thesis of the first author (Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - Botânica, IBB/UNESP) and was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP BIOTA-08/55434-7 and DR-08/57650-9). The authors would like to thank the technicians of the Electron Microscopy Center (CME), IBB/UNESP, for laboratory assistance, Dr. M.C.H. Mamede for plant identification and Dr. A. Aguiar for bee identification.

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  1. Agricultural Sciences Institute, UFMG - Federal University of Minas Gerais, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, 39404-547, Brazil

    Clivia C. F. Possobom

  2. Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, 18618-970, Brazil

    Silvia R. Machado

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  1. Clivia C. F. Possobom
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  2. Silvia R. Machado
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Correspondence to Silvia R. Machado.

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Possobom, C.C.F., Machado, S.R. Elaiophores in three Neotropical Malpighiaceae species: a comparative study. Plant Syst Evol 304, 15–32 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-017-1443-6

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